Today is the first day of March, also known as the official beginning of March Madness in college basketball. The hype and debate surrounding tournament seedings has carried on for months, and it’s still not even time for conference championships, much less national championships.

So in the week before the madness begins, the Northern Star is here to remind you that another sport is just entering its postseason as well. That’s right, the NCAA wrestling championships are just over two weeks away and are also being held in St. Louis this year.

While official seedings for the MAC Championships on March 4 and 5 have not yet been released, here are the Northern Star’s winning picks for each of the 10 weight classes.

125: Luke Smith, Central Michigan (27-10) or Mark McKnight, Buffalo (25-12). Without a doubt this is the most wide-open division. Four different guys all have a shot at winning it all.

It’s hard to bet against defending champion McKnight, although he has been beaten by Smith this year.

This year’s dark horse in the 125 division is NIU’s Chad Vandiver. No one has been hotter than the freshman, who has won nine straight matches and scored a 6-5 decision over Smith on Jan. 28.

The winner will be whoever ends up with the most favorable draw.

133: Sam Hiatt, NIU (23-6). It’s hard to pick against DeKalb’s favorite son, mostly because Hiatt is the two-time defending MAC champion.

The only legitimate challenge for Hiatt is Central Michigan’s Jason Borrelli, whom Hiatt has never defeated. Borrelli is ranked No. 8 in the nation, but nagging injuries have slowed him this year.

Hiatt should return to the NCAAs with his third straight MAC title and his first All-American award.

141: Josh Wooton, NIU (8-4). Even after achieving a No. 17 national ranking at 149 pounds last year, Wooton decided to return to 141 this season.

Wooton has beaten all three main challengers quite badly. He major decisioned CMU’s Brandon Carter 11-3, pinned Kent State’s Jason McGee and scored an injury default of Ohio’s Jon Spires.

149: Mark DiSalvo, Central Michigan (30-5). Besides being in tremendous shape this year, nationally-ranked No. 10 DiSalvo uses a vicious headslap to break his opponent’s concentration. Even though DiSalvo is undefeated in the MAC this year, Jermaine Thompson of Eastern Michigan is a legitimate contender. Thompson’s quick movements and attacks could make for an upset.

157: Jake Percival, Ohio (24-2). Death, taxes and Jake Percival. Three MAC championships, three times All-American, national runner up last year and a 134-9 career record makes Percival one of the best wrestlers in conference history. Will there be a Buster Douglas to this Mike Tyson? There’s about a one percent chance of that. Most important stat: Percival has never lost a MAC match (17-0).

165: David Bolyard, Central Michigan (28-3). With over 100 career wins, a No. 9 national ranking and legs the size of tree trunks, Bolyard is the consensus favorite.

NIU’s Johnny Galloway is the No. 1 contender to pull off the upset. His aggressiveness and sheer strength have helped him dominate opponents all year, as evidenced by his team-high 25 wins and six pins.

Bolyard won the only head-to-head meeting 7-3.

174: Mitch Hancock, Central Michigan (30-3). J. J. Holmes of Eastern Michigan won the 165 pound title last year, but jumping up a weight class is always difficult.

Hancock, ranked No. 7 in the nation, didn’t lose a MAC match this year and is the vocal and emotional leader of the No. 8 Chippewas.

Holmes is quick on his feet and moves around the mat a lot, but Hancock’s experience and strength as a senior gives him the edge.

184: Ed Magrys, Eastern Michigan (19-4). After taking second to NIU’s Ben Heizer at last year’s MAC championships, No. 15-ranked Magrys is very close to capturing his first title in his senior year.

Magrys’ length gives him good leverage and his attacks are lightning-quick when he sees an opening.

CMU’s Alex Lammers almost upset Magrys last month by a 6-5 margin, but he has split time this year with Russ Vanderheyden and it’s not quite clear if he will get the starting nod.

197: Joel Weimer, Ohio (17-4). CMU’s Wynn Michalak has been very solid this year, going 27-7 and achieving a ranking of 11th in the nation.

But Weimer has taken second place the last three MAC championships and he’s due to win this one, provided his injured ankle is ready by the weekend. He is also the only MAC wrestler to beat Michalak this year.

Heavyweight: Bill Stouffer, Central Michigan (28-5). Last year’s champion Jeremiah Beltran of Ohio has been inconsistent this year with a 14-11 record, so Stouffer looks to be the favorite.

Even with a No. 6 national ranking, Stouffer is not the bulkiest heavyweight. But a combination of impressive strength and technique has helped make him one of the best in the country.